Improvement in tobacco-presses



UNrTED STATES .Pairnivn trici-3i.

JOHN BRIGGS, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR `TO J. J. HAIR, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN TOBACCO-PRESSES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 38,6211, dated May 19, 1863.

Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section at y y,

Fig. 2.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

The subject of my invention is Yan apparatus employed in finishing tobacco; and it consists of a curb within which the tobacco may be compressed with great force.

The improvements particularly consist in the use of skeleton hoops surrounding the curb, in combination with any suitable ad-l justable device for securely connecting the A said hoops during the compressing operation,

and permitting the ready separation of the same for the removal ofthe finished article.

In order that others skilled in the art to which my invention appertains may be enabled to fully'understand and use the same, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation.

A A A`Z may represent a box, formed of wood or other suitable material, rectangular within, and having on its exterior the form of a vertical cylinder.

B represents a metallic lining.

C C is a casing of sheet metal, formed .in two pieces, and completely covering the sides of the box A A A2.

D is the bottom of the box, which may be made in one piece and rigidly connected to the largest part A of the box.

E E represent skeleton hoops, formed at their respective ends with loops e c', inclosing transverse bars F F.

G Gare hooks formed with screw-Shanks g, which pass through the bars F', and are held in any desired position by nuts H H. The

hooks engage over the bars F at the opposite ends of the skeleton hoops, so that by turning up the nuts II the said hoops may be tightly compressed upon the exterior of the curb.

c2 e2 represent hinges by which the parts E of the hoops are connected to the principal portions E. The detached parts A C of the box and casing, being secured to the ends E' of the hoops, constitute a door, which is adapted to turn or swing upon the hinges e?, to give access to the interior of the box. The main portion C of the casing is secured around the portions A A`l of the box, constituting an elastic connection, and permitting them to yield slightly when the hooks are detached.

The apparatus is used in the following manner: The tobacco is first placed in the box, and then the door is closed and pressure ap- .plied from hydraulic or other power. The

compressing operation being accomplished, oneor twobackward turns on the nuts H will suffice to release the hooks G and permit them to be unhitched. The door A is then opened, and the detached part A2 of the box, springing slightly outward, permits the ready removalv of the compressed tobacco. If it be needful to take a new hold, this can be effected as often 'and to any extent desired by an additional turn on the nuts II I-I.

The following are some of the practical advantages of my improved construction of tobacco-compress curb: First, the cylindrical form of the exterior imparts great strength by equalizing the pressure upon all parts of the casing and hoops; second, the hooks constitute a perfectly secure connection between .thel ends of the hoops, one which admits of adjustment and readjustment to any required length, and detachable with the greatest facility when the curb is to be opened; third, the skeleton hoops, being increased in thickness and reduced in width, possess and impart the requisite strength with a less expenditure of metal, and admit of the formation of the loops at their respective ends by welding instead of by riveting, as would be necessary in the case of sheet-iron.

Having thus described iny invention7 what I 2. The hooks G G or other substantially claim as new thereinJ and desire to secure by equivalent adj ustabie and readily-detachable Letters Patent, isfastening, employed to connect the ends of the l. The skeleton hoops E E', formed with hoops E E at any required distance asunder. Welded eyes e e and connected by rods F FQ' JOHN BRIGGS. in combination with the box A A A2 and eas# XVitiiesses: ing C C', constructed inthe manner and for OCTAVIUS KNIGHT, the purposes herein described. CHARLES SMITH. 

